Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Apparently there's a new Dyson model that will be launched in February at the VDTA Convention.  I don't know any further specifics on whether or not it's going to be a canister or upright, but apparently all attendees of the show will be able to see it and place their orders.  I wonder if the $899 pricetag will be a detriment to sales, or are Americans willing to pay a premium for superior performance and space-age motor technology?

Has anyone else heard anything yet?  I'm curious to know what it is as I bought the DC21 right when it came out in March.  That and the DC17 are the only ones that impressed me so far, it will be interesting to see how this one is.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

Back to dyson:  Do you think that dyson will suffer from a downside in sales with consumers due to the frequent update in his vacuums?  Especially with the canisters, if in fact it is a canister model? 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
That will be interesting.  Even though it's been out for 10 months, there hasn't been much talk about the Dyson DC21; it seems people tend to prefer the upright models.  However, the way I see it is that Dyson has something good with their canister design.  The design itself is not new; it started with the DC02 and while it has undergone modifications/improvements over the years, it is basically the same.  Remember the Fantom Lightning canister here?  Basically the same as the DC02, and you can see the DC21/22 resembles it in some ways.  Whether James himself and/or executives realize it or not is beyond me, but it almost seems like they should be pushing their canisters much more than they have been.  The DC11 Telescope design was (to me) both a flop and an embarrassment, and because of that I could see how some would not give current Dyson canisters much attention.  But with good marketing that potential problem could be easily overcome; people would look at it and see that it is a completely different machine.   I can say this from my experience using (and owning) the DC21 and knowing what a stellar performer it is.  On top of that, it is much more simple (namely the dirt path which is very direct); many "areas of complaint" on the uprights (complex ducting, leaky seals, little airflow, etc.), namely the DC07/14/15, are absent on this machine.

Just my 2-cents.

-MH

Hi Motorhead,

Your two cents is always of value.  However,  I just wanted to run this by you.  I just saw a first real test. 

I took a trip to Best Buy tonight and the vacuum aisle was a wasteland as usual.  Nothing but a Hoover or two, the obligatory handful of Dirt Devils of course, a Bissell and some beat up Dyson uprights and the DCV21 canister. I will have to admit that I've become curious about the DC21.  Why because a Dyson pitch video from HSN turned up on You Tube.  Okay . . .

A thing  I distinctly remember is that the host of the  "show" went about attacking fluff, cat littter and coffee grounds with the DC21 after which, despite the overfilled bin,  he showed that though there was dust residue at the inlet of the dust bin there was none in the airway after the filter just above it.  Naturally this was the first thing I went looking for. Oh, let me not leave this out -- the Best Buy in my neighborhood has to be just about the funkiest there is since they follow absolutely no rules.  That means that staff still has been using the display model to clean with.   Besides that spotted the "Slim Jim" way off in the computer department  and not looking all that dapper either.

Not meaning to digress -- The very clouded bin on the display model made it obvious that it had beeun used for clean up.  Naturally the first thing I did was remove the dust bin to take a peek at the airway at the top of the dust container and of course do the finger test.  A swipe of a finger inside showed that there was a good coating of dust in the top section of the dust bin.  The airway for outgoing air that it seals against it was also quite dusty  inside.  Sadlly, I found not much of a  cyclonic miracle had occured.  And I say sadly because I'd like to have seen one.

This does not mean that I dismiss the DC21.  I'd expect the same signs of fallability from my Iridium or any other similarly built canister under the same real life conditions.  Old or new, I'd like Dyson more if I had more of a feeling it was being developed to endure a certain modicum of carelessness with a purer result.

Best,

Venson

The dc21 will never take off in the states,reasons are obvious.

1 way over priced.

2 way over HYPED,as usual.

3 american buyers are finally smartening up to the vacuum cleaner[thats suppose to revolutionize the industry].HA.HA.HA.

4 the dealers that sell or have sold Dyson are getting the backlash of selling this overpriced,underperforming, product,which by the way is an insult to the real vacuum guy's and girls and [[THE SERVICE TECHS] have thrown their hands in the air and just tell the customer that they got ripped off,and yes you got suckered by the hype.

Your replys are welcome.

MOLE

mole wrote:
1)  Compared to who? 

2)  This is probably the most under hyped Dyson

3)  What does this mean?  Is that why Dyson sold more vacuums in the U.S. in 2007 then ever before?

4)  Of course some machines do need repair and service, but not to the degree that you assume

Airblade wrote:

Please share the detail to support this grandiose statement, if you would. 

Carmine D.

mole wrote:

Hello Mole:

Most economists now agree that the US is in a recession and it was tipped off by the 2007 Holiday sales season.  Although no bells and whistles go off to signal its coming.  These same economic gurus say the recession will last into 2008.  And probably be worse.  Why?  For most of 2007 consumers were still spending.  That stopped in December and will probably stay that way for awhile.

One of the recession signs is that retailers' sales hit the skids during the 2007 Holiday season.  All retailers and all sectors.  Not just a few.  Retailers started culling the dyson product line in 2007 for several reasons including difficulty selling at the high prices.  The culling will last until and unless economic data reverses itself.  I don't see that happening in the near term.

Dyson's 2002 strategy to go after the big box stores' venues rather than the independents will hurt dyson sales now during times of recession.  Why?  The big box stores' vacuum shoppers will go with the low end disposables to the middle price ranges for vacuums [the typical retailers' vacuum venues].  The high end vacuum shoppers will go to the independents who may/may not carry and certainly don't push the dyson brand.  Why?  They carry and sell brands, makes and models solely made and marketed for independents. 

I always said dyson's marketing strategy for vacuums was not conducive for the long haul.  I still say it.  Now in bad economic times the rubber hits the road.  And the honeymoon period is over.  Time will tell.

Carmine D.

Carmine, my old friend..........
It's your favorite Dyson insider from your old home here.  How is Vegas treating you? 

Anyway, I can't provide you the numbers that you ask for ( I like my job too much!), otherwise I would.  I am closer to Airblade these days, but I am still privy to floorcare info.  I can assure you that 2007 was quite good for Dyson.

As far as Airblade placement goes, it is in various places around the country. 

Feel free to PM me and I'll try to get more specific with you.

Airblade wrote:

Well well, hello my old friend.  Good to hear from you.  I was wondering what became of you and your dyson career.  I will take you up on your offer.  Although I must say, dyson never silenced the sales success news in the past on Forums. 

Vegas is wonderful and treating me very very well.  I wish I came sooner!  I absolutely love it.  Don't miss the east a bit.

Carmine D.

mole wrote:
Hi Mole,

Perhaps you're referring to the DC22 if it is ever released here? 

As Airblade said, and I've noticed this as well, the DC21 under-hyped and under-advertised.  I can't remember ever seeing a commercial for it in the 10 or so months it's been out (7 for big-box stores).  Sure, like any Dyson model it's not the cheapest vacuum around, but it is hardly the most expensive ($499 retail), even compared to some Dyson uprights (such as the DC17 and DC15 Animal models for $549, and of course the DC15).  In fact I believe the DC11 Telescope, when it was out sold for this same amount.  The difference of course was that the DC11 was not nearly as good as the 21 and also lacked an electric power nozzle (or Motorhead, hence my name).  The Motorhead on the DC21 is one of the best power nozzles I've seen by far, the 2-piece brushroll is gear-driven and can be easily removed from the nozzle.

Since you mentioned in another thread that you own a vacuum store, has anyone tried to bring a broken Dyson in, and if so, which model(s)?

Hi Venson,

I saw that DC21 HSN video on YouTube as well; they've done similar "bin capacity" tests for the DC07, 14, 15 etc. (and even cyclonic models from other brands like the Hoover Fusion/Mach 3).  Not really a good test for how the machine will hold up over time, and how well it does under extended use.  I have to wonder how long that machine had been there, how long it had been used for cleanup at the Best Buy, and of course other factors like the material it was picking up (presumably a large amount of fine dust judging by your description).  Did you pop open the pre-motor filter compartment and see how dirty the filter was by any chance?  How was the suction?

I can sort of understand the overall "dustiness" because it's not a Level 3 machine, and wasn't designed for commercial use, although since you didn't mention any damage or broken pieces I'd say it has held up quite well in that enviroment.  I would also bet the performance has not changed, either, and the suction has not dropped off.  Then again, I could be wrong ;-)

Hi Airblade,

Nice to see a Dyson insider here, I definitely look forward to your future posts.  I do have a question for you:  Isn't the wholesale/dealer-invoice price of the DC21 around $411?  At least that's what I was told by a dealer when I bought mine.  If it is, doesn't seem to be a huge markup there so I would venture to say that dealers who push Dysons aren't doing so to make a tremendous profit (unlike Miele).

-MH